Saturday 4 July 2020

SCARLETT & MIRIAM: THE LITTLE LOCAL BOOK HUB!

Readers Scarlett and Miriam are part of a cool lockdown project to help get books to those who need them... find out how their project has snowballed!
Scarlett, age 10, says:
Miriam and I are in the same class at school and we are both avid readers - I especially love Cathy Cassidy books and am in the middle of LOOKING GLASS GIRL! My mum also loves to read, and we have lots of books at home. The libraries were shut due to Covid-19 so my mum decided to put a box of books outside our house for people to choose and take. We asked people to donate any books they didn't want, and we got tons of donations. Miriam's mum did a box too and to begin with it was just a fun thing to do for the community. It gave us something to do. But then it got way bigger and we decided to call it The Little Local Book Hub and my mum made a logo, as her job is a graphic designer. Mum set up a Facebook page www.facebook.com/littlebookhub and the  idea just grew and grew and people in other areas joined in. We have over 24 hubs now! 

Miriam says:
The Little Local Book Hub expanded on it's own really, as people started hubs on their driveways. We gave them logos and now it's almost like a chain. Everyone is on social media so a lot of people could see our idea and like it and because of this we started a twitter, instagram and YouTube too. We set up a YouTube channel that has videos of different people reading picture books for their little kids to see! The YouTube basically started because we wanted to advertise the Little Local Book Hub, and for little kids to watch as they didn't have school. All the books we read have been donated from people.

Scarlett says:
When lockdown is over we might do something like a weekend  special of free books to keep as we now have so many books, and we will also give some to charities. We have  enjoyed meeting new people from around our areas as they have visited the hubs. We have had so many great conversations with people we might have never come across if we hadn't started these hubs. The worst bit is probably when we have just organised the books and then people come and take a book and then realise they don't want that book anymore and put it back anywhere!

Miriam says:
Being involved with the Little Local Book Hub is a great way to meet new people and although it can be hard sometimes, we still have a lot of fun.  It helps gets books to people in the community who want to read and it gives us something to do while we are not at school!


Cathy says:
I absolutely love Scarlett and Miriam's project... I've also had a box of giveaway books at my gate too on sunny lockdown days! I'll be doing a comp with The Little Local Book Hub soon, with a signed book as the prize. Have YOU found a project that's kept you busy during lockdown? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!

Thursday 2 July 2020

ANUSHA - A NEW INSIGHT

Anusha, age eleven, lives in India... and writes about the hidden blessing lockdown can bring...
Anusha says:
Businesses have shut down, people are stuck in other countries, schools have closed, people’s salaries are being cut and people are losing their jobs. Who would have thought this could have ever happened? Did you ever even think of facing a pandemic? I did not. Being at home during my summer vacation, instead of riding a camel in the hot deserts... well, it seems I am now the camel on which my younger sister rides at home.

At first, I complained a lot about being at home, but then I realised. I am lucky I am at home; millions of people are stranded in places away from their home and they are struggling to get back. After this insight, I decided I would  make the best of it. So, during my vacation, I spent time with my family, learnt a new language (French!) and spent time on my hobbies - writing, sketching and of course, reading Cathy Cassidy books. 
I had fun baking with my mom and sister, too! I am grateful that me and my family and friends are all safe and healthy and at home. Now my school has re-opened online so I can continue with my school work. I can also catch up with my friends - we video call during the weekends and play games online. I also attend online art classes and I really enjoy them. 
During the summer, I started a hobby workshop to raise funds for charity. It did not work out so well, but at least I learnt how hard it was to teach! Now I am more grateful to teachers and understand their efforts. I have also started writing a novel. Lockdown has given us so much time to do new things and spend time on our hobbies. We just have to use it well. Could this be a blessing in disguise?

Photos with thanks to Pexels, drawing by Anusha.
Cathy says:
Wow, I love Anusha's energy and determination to make the best of lockdown - there's something we can all learn from this! What new hobby or pastime have YOU taken up during lockdown? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

EMILY: INSPIRED TO HELP REFUGEES

Reader Emily, aged ten, explains how a Cathy Cassidy book inspired her to raise money for a refugee charity... Emily says: The Cathy Cassidy...